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2020 Peugeot 208 Takes on Audi A1 in Premium Small Hatchback Comparison

With a GT Line trim level that starts at over €22,000, the new Peugeot 208 was never going to find a worthy opponent in the Renault Clio. Perhaps we'll know more about the car by comparing it to something similarly posh like the Audi A1 Sportback.
2020 Peugeot 208 Takes on Audi A1 in Posh Hatchback Battle 3 photos
Photo: YouTube screenshot/automotomagazine
2020 Peugeot 208 Takes on Audi A1 in Posh Hatchback Battle2020 Peugeot 208 Takes on Audi A1 in Posh Hatchback Battle
With the 208, it feels like Peugeot has an idea and wants to refine it further and further, even though it hasn't worked yet. The car isn't designed to be a mainstream contender, a volume car and instead is different and well designed. We know that looks are subjective, but it really doesn't seem out of place next to the French castle in this review. Meanwhile, the Audi A1 seems a little more effervescent and sporty.

At a glance, the Audi seems much bigger, but let's look at the specs and see if that's really the case here. Actually, it's the other way around, as the Peugeot is ever-so-slightly longer, taller and wider. However, depending on the trim level, trunks space slightly favors the Audi.

When it comes to the interiors, Audi is sporty, but combines too many elements from VW Group to be considered "original." Step inside the Peugeot and it's like going onboard a space ship, with toggles and screens arranged in unusual places without being unusable as a result. The A1 Sportback is criticized here for its hard plastics and lowering the bar set so high by its sister Audis.

The engine department is where the Peugeot may fall behind, as the 208 will likely never have something to combat the 200 horsepower version of the A1. On the other hand, its €36,600 electric version, called the e-208, seems ideal for an urban car.

Peugeot has made huge leaps in build quality, and this shows when the 208 takes on the more expensive Audi. You guys complained about manual gearboxes being a major reliability problem for the brand, so we suggest staying away from those models.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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